Best Free Ebooks (2026): Legal Apps & Websites to Read Free Books Online

Introduction: Why “Best Free Ebooks” Is Trending Globally

Millions of readers across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and other regions search every month for best free ebooks, free ebooks app, and legal ways to read books online. Rising book prices, subscription fatigue, and digital convenience have made free ebooks more popular than ever.

However, not all “free ebook” platforms are safe or legal. Many users now actively search for:

• legal free ebook apps

• trusted alternatives to piracy websites

• library-based reading platforms

• public domain ebook websites

This guide is a complete, updated, legal, and safe resource covering:

• Best free ebooks websites

• Best free ebooks apps

• Libby app explained

• Project Gutenberg and Planet Ebook

• BookBub free ebooks

• How to choose the right platform

All platforms mentioned here are legal, trusted, and globally accessible.

What Are Free Ebooks and How Are They Legal?

Free ebooks are legal when they fall into one of these categories:

1. Public domain books (copyright expired)

2. Library-based digital lending

3. Author-approved or self-published free ebooks

4. Promotional or limited-time free releases

Legal platforms clearly state their copyright policies and do not distribute pirated content.

Best Free Ebooks Websites (Legal & Trusted)

1. BookBoard – Read Free Ebooks Online Legally

BookBoard is a modern ebook platform designed for legal online reading.

Key points:

• Read free ebooks online without piracy

• Supports EPUB and PDF

• Clean web reader for desktop and mobile

• Author-friendly publishing ecosystem

• No forced downloads

Best for readers who want:

• Simple access

• Legal clarity

• Online reading experience

BookBoard works well as a web-based alternative to many traditional ebook apps.

2. Project Gutenberg (Gutenberg)

Project Gutenberg is one of the most searched terms in Google Trends for free ebooks.

What Gutenberg offers:

• Over 70,000 public domain ebooks

• 100 percent legal

• No signup required

• EPUB, Kindle, HTML formats

Limitations:

• Mostly classic literature

• Limited modern books

Best for:

• Classic novels

• Historical texts

• Literature students

3. Planet Ebook

Planet Ebook is another popular source for public domain ebooks.

Features:

• Free classic ebooks

• Clean website

• EPUB and PDF formats

• No account required

Limitations:

• Small collection

• Focused only on classics

Planet Ebook works best when combined with other platforms like Gutenberg or BookBoard.

4. Open Library

Open Library operates like a digital library.

Key points:

• Borrow ebooks legally

• Millions of titles

• Library-style lending system

Limitations:

• Time-restricted access

• Account required

Best for:

• Students

• Researchers

• Academic reading

Best Free Ebooks Apps (Trending in 2025)

What Makes a Good Free Ebooks App?

A good free ebooks app should provide:

• Legal content

• Offline reading support

• EPUB and PDF compatibility

• Clean interface

• Global availability

1. Libby App (Very High Trend Keyword)

The Libby app is one of the most searched free ebook apps globally.

What Libby is:

• A library-based ebook and audiobook app

• Operated by OverDrive

• Requires a public library card

Advantages:

• Completely legal

• Access to ebooks and audiobooks

• High-quality reading experience

Limitations:

• Requires library membership

• Limited borrowing period

• Regional availability depends on library

Libby is ideal for users in the US, UK, and Canada who have access to public libraries.

2. Google Play Books

Google Play Books is both an ebook store and a free ebook reader app.

Features:

• EPUB and PDF support

• Upload your own ebooks

• Offline reading

• Cross-device sync

Free content includes:

• Public domain books

• Free previews

• Promotional titles

3. Kindle App (Amazon)

The Kindle app is popular worldwide.

Strengths:

• Excellent typography

• Offline reading

• Sync across devices

Limitations:

• Best suited for Kindle format

• Free books mainly limited to classics and promotions

4. BookBoard Reader (Web + Android)

BookBoard Reader focuses on:

• Legal free ebooks

• Online reading without downloads

• EPUB and PDF support

• Clean and distraction-free interface

It works well for users who prefer browser-based reading instead of app-only ecosystems.

BookBub Free Ebooks: How It Works

BookBub is often searched as “bookbub.com free ebooks”.

What BookBub does:

• Curates free and discounted ebooks

• Sends alerts and recommendations

• Links to legal ebook stores

Important to understand:

• BookBub does not host pirated ebooks

• Free books are usually time-limited promotions

• Requires signup for best experience

Best use case:

• Discovering deals

• Finding temporary free ebooks

• Exploring new authors

Best Free Ebooks by Category

Best Free Classic Ebooks

• Project Gutenberg

• Planet Ebook

• Open Library

Best Free Modern Ebooks

• BookBoard

• BookBub promotions

• Author websites

Best Free Educational Ebooks

• Open Library

• Internet Archive

• University digital libraries

Best Free Self-Help Ebooks

• BookBub promotions

• Author newsletters

• Free ebook platforms with self-published content

Free Ebooks App vs Website: Which Is Better?

Apps Are Better When:

• You want offline reading

• You borrow library books

• You prefer mobile reading

Websites Are Better When:

• You want instant access

• You want no installation

• You prefer desktop reading

Many users combine both:

• Libby app for library books

• BookBoard or Gutenberg for web reading

Safety: Are Free Ebooks Safe to Use?

Free ebooks are safe when:

• Downloaded from official sources

• Read on trusted platforms

• Provided under clear legal terms

Avoid:

• Mod APKs

• Pirated ebook sites

• Demonstration or cracked apps

Trusted platforms include:

• BookBoard

• Libby

• Project Gutenberg

• Google Play Books

• Kindle app

Common Myths About Free Ebooks

Myth: Free ebooks are illegal
Fact: Many are legal under public domain or library models

Myth: Free ebooks are low quality
Fact: Many high-quality books are legally free

Myth: You must download files
Fact: Many platforms allow online reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free ebooks websites?

BookBoard, Project Gutenberg, Planet Ebook, and Open Library are among the best noted legal options.

Is the Libby app free?

Yes. Libby is free but requires a public library card.

Are BookBub free ebooks permanent?

Most BookBub free ebooks are limited-time promotions.

Is Project Gutenberg legal?

Yes. Project Gutenberg only offers public domain books.

Can I read free ebooks without downloading?

Yes. Platforms like BookBoard allow online reading.

Why Legal Free Ebooks Matter

Choosing legal platforms:

• Protects readers

• Supports authors

• Ensures long-term access

• Avoids malware and legal risk

Final Conclusion

If you are searching for best free ebooks, free ebooks apps, or legal ebook websites, the safest approach is to combine:

• Library apps like Libby

• Public domain sites like Gutenberg and Planet Ebook

• Modern platforms like BookBoard

• Discovery tools like BookBub

This strategy gives you:

• Maximum variety

• Legal safety

• Best reading experience